Book Review – THE ARRANGER by L J Sellers

October 1, 2011 by Joanne P

The Arranger Synopsis

The year is 2023 and ex-detective Lara Evans is working as a freelance paramedic in a bleak new world. She responds to an emergency call and is nearly killed when a shooter flees the home. Inside she finds the federal employment commissioner wounded, but she’s able to save his life. The next day Lara leaves for the Gauntlet—a national competition of intense physical and mental challenges with high stakes for her home state. She spots the assailant lurking at the arena and soon after, she lands in deep trouble. Who is the mysterious killer and what is motivating him? Can Lara stop him, stay alive, and win the Gauntlet? (Amazon)

BOOK REVIEW

In The Arranger L J Sellers has created some intriguing characters and set them on a compelling collision course.

The protagonist and hero Lara Evans – an underdog haunted by her past with appealing strength and spirit.

Lara loved these moments – rushing to a scene, no knowing what chaos she would encounter. In some ways, it was better than being a police officer because she kept on the move and did a lot less paperwork. She missed the authority of the badge though. She’d liked having people pay attention and feel nervous when she approached. It beat the hell out of her current personal life: a forty-two-year-old woman with no partner, no children, no power.

Her deeply disturbed nemesis – someone marginalised by society taking matters into their own hands.

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The Arranger is a futuristic thriller that taps into today’s trending topics and societal concerns to great effect.

Current issues such as government funding cuts, police injustice, unemployment, and advancements in mobile communication devices have manifested themselves to disturbing but oh so plausible effects in the world of The Arranger.

Sellers’ prose is very easy to read, if somewhat direct and spare at times. I found the physical and mental challenge element of ‘The Gauntlet’ and the broader concept of a competition where employment is the prize, very interesting ideas.

The Arranger is an easily digestible thriller that certainly provides food for thought.

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I’m Jo, an Australian book reviewer. Since starting this website in 2009, I’ve come to realise I enjoy writing about books almost as much as reading them. I hope you enjoy browsing the several hundred reviews on my site and find your next great read today. Learn more & follow my reading adventures!

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